Ekagrata, Bliss, & Lasting Peace
Since coming back from my holidays I was asked by not less the 10 people, „Erika where do you get your energy from?“ How are you seemingly able to do, everything at the same time?“
The simple and short answer is „Ekagrata“ or one-pointed attention. Here’s the catch, the attention is focused on the NOW, on the PRESENT moment.
Energy is in us all the time, it doesn’t come from food or something from the outside, external things can amplify, diminish, redirect, or alter our energies. But the simple truth is that energy is within each of us. We can say this because there are times when we are just so tired and dull and seemingly exhausted. We get a call from a friend and an invite to go to walk in the forest or go dancing and suddenly we are energized and ready to go. I know this when I’m just tired and the house is a mess and when my mother-in-law tells me that she’s coming, in not even a second I get up and clean the house in half an hour, TOPS, something that I’ve been trying to accomplish for days already🤭
To be able to focus on the now and not waste energy by dwelling on the past, regretting, reminiscing, or not getting caught up in the future – fantasizing, and worrying is my way of directing my attention to all the things that I have to do now to that I get to where I want to be.
By planting a seed, watering it, tending it, removing weeds around it, and loving it, I allow the seedling to grow and root down deep into the heart of the earth. And as a result, it is solid and strong. This tree will weather violent storms because the roots are deep and firm. And when the time is ripe, I will be able to eat the fruits of the tree.
This is Ekagrata.
In the same way, by focusing on Now I am able to experience life and live fully. This way I am able to get to know my Self more. I am attuned to the shifts in my inner body, my moods, my emotions, perceptions. I can see when my state is getting out of balance when I’m moving away from bliss – our natural state. And when I can see that I’m beginning to tilt to one side, I can maneuver and return to equanimity.
Why do I say that bliss is our natural state (and the original goal of yoga for that matter)? Because whenever we move away from happiness we do everything to go to it, to have this feeling again. This is our default, bliss, happiness, and peace if not, why do we risk everything in order to have these?
Here is where the problem comes in, we need to get back to the state of bliss again that we think we can find outside us, we buy the most expensive cars, eat the most opulent food, buy the most expensive gadget, sell ourselves for likes and when the initial high of attaining these fades, we need to buy another car, go to another expensive restaurant buy the next iPhone. We identify with this things and get addicted to the chase which makes us even more miserable.
How do we attain bliss? There are many ways, some dance, some walk in the forest, some listen to music, so swim.
I attain bliss by practicing yoga and not just on the mat, the asana practicing that I do is just a fraction of my whole yoga practice.
I come into a state of peace by studying Vedanta, doing this I recognize that underlying the multiplicity and diversity of experience there is a single, infinite, and indivisible reality, whose nature is pure consciousness, from which all objects and selves derive. With this in mind, how can I be lonely? I can never feel sad when I know I am one and the same with all beings. This is my foundation of lasting peace.
Join me and have lasting peace and bliss by getting to know yourself. All classes at Manas Yoga and current retreats.
I’ll see you on the mat!